Pearl Christina Grotewold

NOTICE: Larchwood, IA             Pearl Grotewold, age 94 of Lutz, FL, formerly of Larchwood, IA died Tuesday, Dec. 15th, 2015 at her home in Lutz.     Funeral service will be 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, December 22, 2015 at United Church of Christ in Larchwood, IA with Rev. Kelly Volk officiating. Burial will follow at Larchwood City Cemetery in Larchwood.        Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church.       Family wishes memorials be directed to the United Church of Christ in Larchwood. Pearl was born April 19, 1921 in Rock Rapids, Iowa, to Jacob and Elsie (Stuerman) Lohman. After graduating from Rock Rapids High School, Pearl worked as a law firm secretary for two and one half years. On January 11, 1941 she was united in marriage to Andrew “Andy” Grotewold. Pearl and Andy met at a Lawrence Welk dance in Lester, IA. The couple lived most of their married lives on a farm near Larchwood, IA. To this union four children were born--Sharon, Bonnie, Paulette, and Alan. Pearl did the bookkeeping for the farm and worked hard, both indoors and out. Her mother lived with the family for ten years and shared household duties. In 1978 Pearl and Andy bought a second home in Arizona, where they were active in their church and on the golf course. In 1983 they retired from farming and built a home in Larchwood. Because of declining health,   Pearl moved to Rochester, MN in 2006 to be near Sharon and Bonnie. In 2014 she moved to Florida with Sharon. As the youngest and only girl in the family, Pearl became a “Tom Boy” and enjoyed outdoor activities, especially softball. She and Andy spent their leisure time playing cards, fishing, dancing, bowling, and golfing (three holes-in-one). In later years, Pearl took up tennis, ping pong, and painting. Until her last years, Pearl was active and athletic.       Pearl is survived by two daughters, Sharon (Alan) Tuntland of Land O’ Lakes, FL; Paulette (Dan) Kasperski of Naperville, IL; one son, Alan Grotewold of Prior Lake, MN; nine grandchildren; eleven great grandchildren; one sister-in-law, Toni (Orval) Lohman of Colorado Springs, CO; many nieces and nephews; and other extended family members.   Pearl was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Andrew Grotewold; daughter, Bonnie Pettengill; brothers, Alvin (Hazel) Lohman, Melvin (Bertha) Lohman, Woodrow (Elsie) Lohman, and Orval Lohman.